Just off/done with Caribbean Princess

[Skai]

I guess I'm just a little befuddled by your comments.....

 

You claimed:

 

*The staff for the most part really knocked themselves out to give great service.

 

*The room steward was super.

 

*The MDR waiters were great.

 

*The young man who runs the Captains Circle (or whatever it is called) was first class.

 

*The ship was in ship shape. The CP is in terrific condition and well cared for.

 

*The food in the Crown Grill bordered on great. We ate there twice and thought it was worth every penny; great food and service.

 

*The nightly buffet was pretty good and at least showed some effort.

 

Then you had mild gripes with how crowded you felt the vessel was, the lack of space to accommodate, and then the itinerary(specifically short port times). Were you not aware of the capacity or itinerary port times before you chose this re-positioning cruise?

 

Your biggest beefs were with the food in the MDR and the Horizon Court -- Yet above you claim the nightly buffet was "pretty good"? Having cruised a bunch on the so-called ''premium lines' as you claim, have you ever found the food not to be hit-or-miss? Surely you know that if you find yourself not liking a particular entree you can always order something else in its place. A person can generally find something worth eating on these ships.

 

You then claim that you could go on and on and on....But you don't. You end it there with your: "The ugly"

 

So in sum, it seemed like other than the feeling of it being too crowded and the sub-par food, you gave pretty glowing remarks for everything else that you mentioned.

 

I guess I'd like a little further clarification has to why this one experience has turned you off to the line for good. Is it primarily because of the dining/food experience? The lack of comfortable space?? The lackluster entertainment???

 

Is that it?

 

If not, please elaborate?

Edited November 7, 2013 by Skai

[phantomII]

Well said!

 

 

I guess I'm just a little befuddled by your comments.....

 

You claimed:

 

*The staff for the most part really knocked themselves out to give great service.

 

*The room steward was super.

 

*The MDR waiters were great.

 

*The young man who runs the Captains Circle (or whatever it is called) was first class.

 

*The ship was in ship shape. The CP is in terrific condition and well cared for.

 

*The food in the Crown Grill bordered on great. We ate there twice and thought it was worth every penny; great food and service.

 

*The nightly buffet was pretty good and at least showed some effort.

 

Then you had mild gripes with how crowded you felt the vessel was, the lack of space to accommodate, and then the itinerary(specifically short port times). Were you not aware of the capacity or itinerary port times before you chose this re-positioning cruise?

 

Your biggest beefs were with the food in the MDR and the Horizon Court -- Yet above you claim the nightly buffet was "pretty good"? Having cruised a bunch on the so-called ''premium lines' as you claim, have you ever found the food not to be hit-or-miss? Surely you know that if you find yourself not liking a particular entree you can always order something else in its place. A person can generally find something worth eating on these ships.

 

You then claim that you could go on and on and on....But you don't. You end it there with your: "The ugly"

 

So in sum, it seemed like other than the feeling of it being too crowded and the sub-par food, you gave pretty glowing remarks for everything else that you mentioned.

 

I guess I'd like a little further clarification has to why this one experience has turned you off to the line for good. Is it primarily because of the dining/food experience? The lack of comfortable space?? The lackluster entertainment???

 

Is that it?

 

If not, please elaborate?

[geoherb]

When Princess first announced plans for the Caribbean Princess--with the extra passenger cabins but not much different in the rest of the ship's design from the original Grand class ships--I thought it would be a nightmare. But I was pleasantly surprised when we sailed on the Emerald and did not find it crowded feeling at all. We've since have been on the Crown a couple of times and the Emerald again and are booked for two Ruby cruises.

 

As for food, to each his own. I usually find something good to eat.

[24639]

I don't like hearing this. :( Had always thought it was a convenient way to keep protected from getting the noro virus. Thanks for this information.

 

The active ingredient that is in the widely used hand sanitizer does not kill the norovirus. The only hand sanitizer that I have found that has the active ingredient(benzethonium chloride) to kill noro is Gold Bond Hand Sanitizer moisturizer. The Purell stuff is almost useless in application, but it does prompt your brain to be more aware of hand washing for those that may not be of that mindset. Once again, a bigger advertising budget and market presence does not mean a better product.

[Toddy709]

You lost me at spousal unit... all I could picture was Rosie on the Jetsons!

[Coral]

When Princess first announced plans for the Caribbean Princess--with the extra passenger cabins but not much different in the rest of the ship's design from the original Grand class ships--I thought it would be a nightmare. But I was pleasantly surprised when we sailed on the Emerald and did not find it crowded feeling at all. We've since have been on the Crown a couple of times and the Emerald again and are booked for two Ruby cruises.

 

I had the opposite effect. My Crown Princess trip was incredibly crowded. It was a nightmare. Walking on deck 7 was impossible at times. This was a cooler cruise and not the Caribbean.

[Anniesails]

I believe that since you and your SU have been cruising for >30 years I do believe that you are searching for a product that no longer exists on the "mainstream" lines. I think you would be better off exploring your options on Luxury lines since the mass market cruises have all changed their approach in hopes of attracting the masses. Let's face it 30 years ago it was a BIG deal if you could afford to cruise, not so today, many can afford to go.

 

The hand sanitizers are largely in my HO a Placebo effect. Have spent 4 decades in healthcare and can tell you that most "bugs" do not die off when using the handsanitizers. In fact most hospitals have gone back to lessening the dispensers posted around as not enough handwashing goes on then. Handwashing is the only way to assure clean hands, it is the scrubbing and rubbing back and forth that rids the bacteria/virus not just the soap/gel. Happy cruising. ;)

[kendon]

The sad thing is that they probably didn't intentionally outgrow mass-market lines, it is just that the mass-market lines have been reduced down so much that this couple's expectations were probably what they were years ago. I put my self in a similar situation of this person.

 

You are right in recommending the higher end lines to them. One needs to sail them to get the same quality of cruise experience they experienced not too many years ago....

 

Same here...we can't help but compare to the way it used to be.

[whatcruiseisnext]

The active ingredient that is in the widely used hand sanitizer does not kill the norovirus. The only hand sanitizer that I have found that has the active ingredient(benzethonium chloride) to kill noro is Gold Bond Hand Sanitizer moisturizer. The Purell stuff is almost useless in application, but it does prompt your brain to be more aware of hand washing for those that may not be of that mindset. Once again, a bigger advertising budget and market presence does not mean a better product.

 

 

The Purell that the cruise lines uses does contain the benzethonium chloride in the appropriate amount.

PURELL SF607 Instant Hand Sanitizing

 

Dosage form: liquid

Ingredients: BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE 0.0013mL in 1mL

Edited November 7, 2013 by whatcruiseisnext

[cruze610]

 

There is the Piazza which is simply too small. Also the shops are quite small and not especially well stocked while there seemed to be a large amount of lounge space that was seldom in use.

 

Interesting that it was so crowded yet a lounge area that was seldom used. hmmm...

[msmarvel]

I had the opposite effect. My Crown Princess trip was incredibly crowded. It was a nightmare. Walking on deck 7 was impossible at times. This was a cooler cruise and not the Caribbean.

 

Six of us were on the Crown almost exactly 2 years ago. I never remember feeling that the ship was over-crowded - maybe when trying to walk through the casino on a sea day or when a show lets out.

 

I find all cruise lines (from the 1700 pax Zuiderdam to the small city Epic) you will have problems finding a seat near the main pool. However, I don't really like having people climb over and around me, so I tend to avoid those pools. Like the Epic, I expect the Terrace pool to be a bit less crowded.

 

In fact, one night we ate at Sabatini's and then had a drink in the bar/lounge right next door. We were the only people in there.

 

I guess it depends on what you're doing (seeing the most popular show) or trying to get somewhere on a sea day when the ship is completely full.

[gertz]

I looked at this topic and commented to my self. Why would anything about the Caribbean Princess be worth 42 replies,?

 

We went on this thing when it was brand new think 2006 and since that time I have been posting how crowded this tub was. But don't post much any more. IMO just not enough that interest me.

 

How can anybody find a ship with as poor a space ratio at this one and her sisters? But some do. And the Royal is a little better but not much.

 

But still IMO Princess has a good product and some very good ships and as long as they do we will go on them. Up coming in March the Coral, then in Sept the Pacific. And are reviews will be short and sweet. Great cruise and food.

 

A little research could have avoided this thread completely.

[Coral]

Six of us were on the Crown almost exactly 2 years ago. I never remember feeling that the ship was over-crowded - maybe when trying to walk through the casino on a sea day or when a show lets out.

 

I find all cruise lines (from the 1700 pax Zuiderdam to the small city Epic) you will have problems finding a seat near the main pool. However, I don't really like having people climb over and around me, so I tend to avoid those pools. Like the Epic, I expect the Terrace pool to be a bit less crowded.

 

In fact, one night we ate at Sabatini's and then had a drink in the bar/lounge right next door. We were the only people in there.

 

I guess it depends on what you're doing (seeing the most popular show) or trying to get somewhere on a sea day when the ship is completely full.

 

We were on a cool weather cruise (Fall Foliage) that started out with snow. People were not on deck. We could not walk from the Photo area to the atrium or into the atrium after dinner. People in the Explorer's Lounge were over flowing, photo area crowded, the atrium was over flowing, especially with the tables out. This was a very port intensive cruise so the only time the shops were open was at night. In the evenings we had difficulty getting an elevator and were often 20 minutes late to dinner (was with someone who was disabled so stairs was not an option). We didn't even attempt the shows because we knew we couldn't get in. I do have to say Crown Grill was completely empty on this sailing - no one wanted to eat there. We choose to one night and didn't return - it was disappointing. People didn't utilize the pool on the first part of the sailing - so the decks were empty. With out a covered pool, everyone was forced inside. At least on the Star, people can go into the covered pool area and talk or swim.

 

Two years previously we had been on the Star on a similar itinerary that also started out with bad weather and had absolutely no problems.

 

Maybe it is different in the Caribbean but I don't want to sail in the Caribbean. I have been on almost 40 cruises and this was the worst I have ever seen.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Coral

[Pythian]

I've sailed on the CB a couple of times, and overall, enjoy the ship. She is a bit big (for me – I really liked the old 740 passenger Royal) but generally – in nice weather – we didn’t feel crowded. However on one NY/Canada cruise, during two days the weather outside was really cold and wet, and it seemed everyone in the world was walking the inside passageways or browsing the food lanes. Yikes – it was really, horribly crowded. But, once the weather improved, so did everyone's attitude and the ship went back to being just super. I like her, and the Crown – so, maybe I’m biased (true for Princess) – but she can be crowded and I don’t like folding chairs either.

 

I didn’t find any of the opinions overly pointed – heck, it is Cruise “Critic” right? We all have opinions – and mine is that I really rather like Princess and the CB is a pretty nice ship.

[Clutterlady]

This is a public MB. If you don't like someone's opinion, that's ok, but we area all free to post whether it's positive or negative. I for one love the Caribbean Princess, having sailed on her 4 times and 2 of those times have been the Canada/New England cruises. Like any other line, if the weather is cooler many areas will be crowded. I have never found it to be jammed or overly crowded. Always found areas where we could have fun and be comfortable. Would love to sail on the CB again!! Yes, that's my opinion..:)

[oskidunker]

We noticed on a recent Emerald cruise in canada that the food was not as good and the choices were very limited.. Still enjoyed the cruise but wish I could afford something better.

 

They are putting too many people on the ships.

 

All that being said, I have booked British Isles cruise for next year. No one comes close in the number of Ports. I looked at Crystal but would loose 5 days and pay the same. not willing to make that trade off at this time.Plus I am afraid if i try crystal, I won't want to come back.

[msmarvel]

We were on a cool weather cruise (Fall Foliage) that started out with snow. People were not on deck. We could not walk from the Photo area to the atrium or into the atrium after dinner. People in the Explorer's Lounge were over flowing, photo area crowded, the atrium was over flowing, especially with the tables out. This was a very port intensive cruise so the only time the shops were open was at night. In the evenings we had difficulty getting an elevator and were often 20 minutes late to dinner (was with someone who was disabled so stairs was not an option). We didn't even attempt the shows because we knew we couldn't get in. I do have to say Crown Grill was completely empty on this sailing - no one wanted to eat there. We choose to one night and didn't return - it was disappointing. People didn't utilize the pool on the first part of the sailing - so the decks were empty. With out a covered pool, everyone was forced inside. At least on the Star, people can go into the covered pool area and talk or swim.

 

Two years previously we had been on the Star on a similar itinerary that also started out with bad weather and had absolutely no problems.

 

Maybe it is different in the Caribbean but I don't want to sail in the Caribbean. I have been on almost 40 cruises and this was the worst I have ever seen.

 

Isn't it funny? I have only sailed the Caribbean, and am not tired of it yet. :) As one of my cruise friends says, a cold weather cruise is a waste of a good pool! lol. I would imagine a cool weather cruise would be better if done on a smaller ship, one that doesn't have as much outdoor spaces.

 

That being said, I would someday like to cruise to Alaska, but will research the ship properly after reading this thread. But I would love to do a Panama Canal cruise, which would also require a smaller ship.

 

I have cruised 6 times, starting with the smallish Zuiderdam, to Freedom of the Seas, to the Epic, and now the Caribbean Princess (just in case people have opted to not show all the signatures). Never once did I get annoyed for more than a minute or two about the ship being too crowded. Oh, except when looking for an open lounger on deck. :D

[Thrak]

Sounds to me like the OP gave his honest opinion. I agree that a snazzier line might well be in order.

 

I guess my wife and I are lucky that we're noobs with only 2 cruises under our belts. We have no "good old days" to look back upon so we have totally loved both of our cruises so far. I'd guess we will probably continue on in our clueless fashion and love every cruise we go on without realizing how good things "used to be".

 

Did we find every single thing about our cruises to be "wonderful"? Nope. The HC food is on the bland side for us but, if it was fixed the way we want it, the majority of passengers would likely complain that it was too spicy. Is the pizza on Lido deck as fabulous as everybody else seems to think? No way. I was very disappointed in it. (The pizza at Cafe Corniche on Sea Princess was great!) I'm hoping Alfredo's is as good as advertised.

 

We didn't have a real problem with anything - including slightly bland food or mediocre pizza - on our cruises. We were sooooooooooooooo happy to be cruising and having such a great time being on the ship and in the ports that it would have to be something pretty major to cause us to complain or have issues with the cruise.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Thrak

[CI66774]

We noticed on a recent Emerald cruise in canada that the food was not as good and the choices were very limited.. Still enjoyed the cruise but wish I could afford something better.

 

They are putting too many people on the ships.

 

All that being said, I have booked British Isles cruise for next year. No one comes close in the number of Ports. I looked at Crystal but would loose 5 days and pay the same. not willing to make that trade off at this time.Plus I am afraid if i try crystal, I won't want to come back.

 

I agree. Princess' itinerary blows Crystal's out of the water.

[Mom33]

Sounds to me like the OP gave his honest opinion. I agree that a snazzier line might well be in order.

 

I guess my wife and I are lucky that we're noobs with only 2 cruises under our belts. We have no "good old days" to look back upon so we have totally loved both of our cruises so far. I'd guess we will probably continue on in our clueless fashion and love every cruise we go on without realizing how good things "used to be".

 

Did we find every single thing about our cruises to be "wonderful"? Nope. The HC food is on the bland side for us but, if it was fixed the way we want it, the majority of passengers would likely complain that it was too spicy. Is the pizza on Lido deck as fabulous as everybody else seems to think? No way. I was very disappointed in it. (The pizza at Cafe Corniche on Sea Princess was great!) I'm hoping Alfredo's is as good as advertised.

 

We didn't have a real problem with anything - including slightly bland food or mediocre pizza - on our cruises. We were sooooooooooooooo happy to be cruising and having such a great time being on the ship and in the ports that it would have to be something pretty major to cause us to complain or have issues with the cruise.

 

We have a few cruises behind us and we still sail with your attitude!!:D:D

I hope we always are as excited about a cruise as we are today.

[msmarvel]

Sounds to me like the OP gave his honest opinion. I agree that a snazzier line might well be in order.

 

I guess my wife and I are lucky that we're noobs with only 2 cruises under our belts. We have no "good old days" to look back upon so we have totally loved both of our cruises so far. I'd guess we will probably continue on in our clueless fashion and love every cruise we go on without realizing how good things "used to be".

 

Did we find every single thing about our cruises to be "wonderful"? Nope. The HC food is on the bland side for us but, if it was fixed the way we want it, the majority of passengers would likely complain that it was too spicy. Is the pizza on Lido deck as fabulous as everybody else seems to think? No way. I was very disappointed in it. (The pizza at Cafe Corniche on Sea Princess was great!) I'm hoping Alfredo's is as good as advertised.

 

We didn't have a real problem with anything - including slightly bland food or mediocre pizza - on our cruises. We were sooooooooooooooo happy to be cruising and having such a great time being on the ship and in the ports that it would have to be something pretty major to cause us to complain or have issues with the cruise.

 

I agree. I don't think I've ever disliked a meal - it may not have all the levels of flavor of a dish prepared by Mario Batali or something, but I've usually cleaned my plate.

 

And I have only cruised since 2007, so no real old glory days to look back on. Maybe it's because I have had to stay in some bare bones or downright dumpy hotels when I travel with my dog. Makes the cruise ship look like the Taj Mahal! :)

[N00B]

 

There is the Piazza which is simply too small. Also the shops are quite small and not especially well stocked while there seemed to be a large amount of lounge space that was seldom in use.

 

Interesting that it was so crowded yet a lounge area that was seldom used. hmmm...

 

I don't know if you are trying to make some kind of assertion with this comment or if it is a question.

 

The large amounts of lounge space that were not in use were that way because they were undesireable. Club Fusion (large empty space) was generally either devoid of entertainment or hosted Karaoke. Explorers lounge (also quite large) was very dark when not in use, and when in use often had entertainment that was not very popular. Wheelhouse Bar (decent sized) often had nice Jazz but was set to meat locker temperatures throughout the cruise.

 

The most popular entertainment appeared to take place in and around the Piazza (Crooners included) these are relatively very small spaces with very limited seating on this ship.

 

People do not generally just head to a space and occupy it onboard because it is empty, people are drawn by warm, inviting spaces, and entertainment they find pleasing. Thus even a ship operating at around 80% passenger capacity can feel very crowded if large numbers of passengers find the entertainment in the smallest venues to be the best on offer.

[KruzPrincess]

Sounds to me like the OP gave his honest opinion. I agree that a snazzier line might well be in order.

 

I guess my wife and I are lucky that we're noobs with only 2 cruises under our belts. We have no "good old days" to look back upon so we have totally loved both of our cruises so far. I'd guess we will probably continue on in our clueless fashion and love every cruise we go on without realizing how good things "used to be".

 

Did we find every single thing about our cruises to be "wonderful"? Nope. The HC food is on the bland side for us but, if it was fixed the way we want it, the majority of passengers would likely complain that it was too spicy. Is the pizza on Lido deck as fabulous as everybody else seems to think? No way. I was very disappointed in it. (The pizza at Cafe Corniche on Sea Princess was great!) I'm hoping Alfredo's is as good as advertised.

 

We didn't have a real problem with anything - including slightly bland food or mediocre pizza - on our cruises. We were sooooooooooooooo happy to be cruising and having such a great time being on the ship and in the ports that it would have to be something pretty major to cause us to complain or have issues with the cruise.

 

I'm not sure which cruise lines your two cruises have been on, but Princess has better pizza than other cruise lines. Of course, that's subjective and you may disagree, but in my experience, other cruise lines have really disappointing pizza. So, when we talk about how great the Princess pizza is....we're comparing it to other cruise ship pizza. At least I am. It's definitely not as good as the good pizza shops I have at home. For me, I was really disappointed in Alfredo's, but I love the Lido deck pizza....as far as cruise ship pizza goes, that is. I don't expect 5 star food on a cruise ship. Maybe that's why I'm not that disappointed. I cruise for other reasons. I never go hungry, though!

[jrzebird]

Ok, I did not read the entire thread, as I am currently on the Caribbean princess and don't want to use too much time. I was also on the repo that the OP reviewed and really had to check if we were on the same ship.

 

The ship was NOT crowded any time other than the piazza during the balloon drop and champaign waterfall. The shops are never crowded, or if they were, I never saw it. The theater absolutely was not crowded, at least not for the first or last shows. There was always more than adequate seating. One of the shows, the one with the pink car, was actually introduced last year.

 

I found the food in the dining room to be excellent, as did all of my table mates. I don't eat dinner in horizon court, as I prefer traditional dining. Service was impeccable and prompt. The cruise directors staff is wonderful and fun.

 

I don't recall what else OP found distasteful, and he is certainly entitled to his opinion, but his experience and mine are very different. I enjoyed the bands, dancing, ultimate pool party, Halloween party, performing in the Princess Pop Choir, people I met and so many other things. This is my 7th time on the CB and I love it as much as the first time.

 

More when I get home Saturday.

[BridgeMates]

Ok, I did not read the entire thread, as I am currently on the Caribbean princess and don't want to use too much time. I was also on the repo that the OP reviewed and really had to check if we were on the same ship.

More when I get home Saturday.

 

We are going with a group of 8 bridge players next year.

Did they provide an area where we can play? Sometimes they set up bridge in one of the alternate restaurants.....no bridge instructor on a 7 day cruise, but they open up a restaurant or dining room.

If you (or anyone else) get a chance, let me know. Thanks